Theatrical illusion



April s 1924 H. R. LAW

THEATRIGAL ILLUsIoN INVENTOR.

April 8 1924.

. H. R. LAW' THEATRICAL ILLUSION Original Filed March 10, 1921 y 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Armani-iv Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

imitan STATES HARRY ROBERT LAW, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

THEATRICAL ILLUSION.

i Application filed March 10, 1921, Serial No. 451,373. Renewed February 23, 1924.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY ROBERT Law, a citizen of the United States, residing in the citycounty, vand State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Theatricaljlllusions, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has relation to apparatus for producing a pleasing and surprising illusion upon the stage, more particularly in connection with a musical and terpsichorean performance.

The particular form of the invention herein shown and described, is especially adapted to a form of dance in which the dancer, representing Vanity, is apparently conveyed to the stage in a magnified representation of a ladys vanity bag, to which she returns after the dance is concluded, to be apparently carried away from the stage in the same device.

This particular embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a front view of the bag as seen by the audience during its descent, Figure 2 is a similar view of the bag with the dancer emerging, Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the upper stiff portion of the bag, Figure l is a front vien7 of the back of the stage, showing the mode of bringing the bag into view and Figure 5 is a vertical section of the bag on the line 5 5 in Figure l, as seen from one side.

The receptacle or vanity bag is preferably constructed as follows.

The lid l is suitably hinged as at 5 to the circular rim 2 of a hollow cylindrical body 4 having the exterior form desired for the bag. This body has an opening 3 at the back which is preferably provided with curtains 6 which can be slipped aside to admit the performer.

The lower flexible portion 7 of the bag is given the form usual to a ladys vanity bag, and is suitably ornamented or decorated, being suspended from the body 4, as shown.

- Instead of being closed, as in an actual vanity bag, this flexible portion 7 is ope-.n all the way down the back, opposite the opening 3 in the body 4. This is made clear by the loose flap 8 at the back of the bag in Figure 5.

The bag thus constructed is employed in producing the illusion for the Danse of Vanity as follows.

At the back of the stage are hung long side curtains 9 which are arranged to permit access of the dancer or other performer from behind them. Near the top of the stage opening, cross curtains are arranged, from behind one of which (shown at l0) -the empty vanity bag is lowered in any well known manner. The dotted lines show the position of the bag when its bottom reaches the level of the stage, and as it begins to collapse.

At this moment, and while the bag is still being lowered, the performer steps from behind one of the side curtains 9 into a position directly behind the bag. As vthe bag overlaps the edge of the curtain, this movement of the performer will not be seen from the front.

From this position, the performer is ablev to step right into the back, stepping upon that portion of the flexible material 7 that is collapsed upon the stage, so that there will not be any tremor of the bag observable. The head and shoulders of the performer are admitted between the curtains 6 through the opening 3, the lid v1 affording plenty of room for the head.

As the bag continues to descend, the performer crouches lower and lower until finally the bottom of the body 4. rests on the stage, as shown in Figure 2, when the performer throws back the lid and emerges to performthe dance.

When the dance is completed, the performer steps into the still collapsed bag and closes the lid. The bag is then lifted, and, when it has reached a suitable height, and before the collapsed bottom leaves the stage, the performer leaves by the rear opening, disappearing behind a side curtain 9, while the bag goes on rising until it disappears behind the curtain 10.

The curtain 6 is preferably used because, in a theater which has a balcony or gallery, the elevated spectators are able to see down in a slanting direction into the open top when the lid is lifted and the performer leaves the bag. To these spectators the curtains 6 have the appearance of a closed back portion in the bag, hiding the fact that a means of entrance exists.

Dierent forms of receptacle might be used without departing from the broad scope of the invention, and many changes may be made within the principle of the invention, which is not limited Vto the de tails herein shown and described,

What is claimed isl. Apparatus for a stage illusion comprising in combination with curtains aording access to a stage from the rear, a receptacle adapted to be lowered into a position to substantially mask the curtain opening, said receptacle having an opening at the rear to admit a performer and an opening at the top to permit the performer to leave the receptacle.

2. Apparatus for the'general purpose set forth comprising a bag having an upper hollow stiff portion provided with a lid and a lower collapsible portion, said bag'being open at the back in a manner adapted to permit the entrance of a performer.

3. A bag for the purpose described having a hollow stif body with a'rear opening and a collapsible portion depending therefrom and openat the back.

4. Means of the character set forth in claim 3 hereof wherein a curtain is provided to mask the opening through the upper stiff portion. i

5. Means of the character set forth in claim 3 hereof wherein a deep convex lid is provided upon the upper body' adapted to accommodate" the head of a performer.

:Inltestimony whereof I havehercto set my hand on?" this'tth day of'Feb., 1921.v

' -HABRY ROBERT 

